In Roanoke County, Virginia, a trip to the public library might include reading, online research, 3D printing—and, since last summer, the opportunity to chat with Pepper, a 4-foot-tall humanoid robot who sings, dances and teaches coding classes.
The Roanoke County Public Library was the first public system in the country to acquire Pepper, a decision made by staff members during a strategic planning session that focused largely on how the library hoped to evolve in a modern world increasingly focused on technology. During that discussion, someone mentioned that they’d heard of a robot named Pepper.
“It kind of captured imaginations,” said Shari Henry, director of library services. “So at one point I went to my office and said, ‘See what we can do. See if we can get that robot.’”
Courtesy of the Roanoke County Public Library
The robot, manufactured by SoftBank Robotics, had been primarily deployed as a greeter and receptionist in hotels, stores and banks, although a K-12 educational model was also available through RobotLAB, a separate company. Developers there had been interested in working with a library, Henry said, and after a video call with the CEO, the two groups decided to work together.
Pepper was purchased by the local nonprofit Friends of Roanoke County Public Library after Henry and several staff members gave a presentation explaining how the robot could help the library accomplish its long-term goals. Those included making advanced technology access ..
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